A quiet hour initiative in Service SA centres – introduced to remove barriers faced by Autistic people when navigating government services – will is set to continue following a successful trial.
The now ongoing service will run every Saturday at Marion, Modbury, Seaford Meadows, Elizabeth and Prospect Service SA centres between 4pm and 5pm. During that hour, centres will dim the lights, mute loudspeaker announcements and monitor the centre’s capacity – creating a quieter environment and reducing sensory stress.
The initiative is part of the South Australian Government’s commitment to improving the lives of Autistic South Australians and ties into the state’s first Autism Strategy and Workplace Charter.
“We are focused on providing services that are easier and more accessible to better meet the needs of all South Australians,” said SA Minister for Autism, Emily Bourke.
“A busy Service SA centre can be a stressful environment for autistic and autism communities, with hundreds of people passing through the doors every Saturday.
“Making quiet hour an ongoing fixture gives certainty to individuals and families and reinforces our position as a national leader in autism inclusion,” she said.
A 12-week trial, launched late last year, found more than 700 customers, including Autistic people, visited the five Service SA centres after 4pm on Saturdays – with Prospect the busiest location, at around 19 visits on average during the quiet hour.
The trial followed feedback provided which highlighted that Service SA centres can be loud and overwhelming spaces for people with sensory sensitivities, making it challenging for individuals, families and carers to access important services.
Service SA staff have completed autism awareness training through the Office for Autism, building knowledge in autism and inclusive practices.
